Maylin Rodriguez-Paez, RN

Known for their sweet white meat, coconuts are more than just tasty treats. In fact, research shows they may even combat tooth decay. Who knew?

Tooth decay is the breakdown of tooth enamel, which is the hard white substance that protects your teeth. It’s a major health problem in the industrialized world, affecting 90% of Americans over the age of 20.1

Poor oral health is not to be taken lightly. It’s been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.2 So it’s important that you take good care of your teeth, if you want to remain healthy.

Below, we’ll take a look at the potential that coconut oil may hold for keeping tooth decay at bay. This is pretty interesting, if we do say so ourselves.

Coconuts Kill Plaque Causing Bacteria

One of the problems facing scientists today is antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotics, which used to be very effective, are losing their power against common strains of bacteria. Consequently, many researchers are testing natural ingredients as potential sources.

In one such attempt to look for alternate sources, Irish scientists tested coconut oil. They tested various species of Streptococcus bacteria against altered (modified with enzymes) and natural coconut oil.

They found that enzyme-treated coconut oil inhibited the growth of most Streptococcus bacteria.3 One in particular was Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that causes tooth decay and cavities. Most of us carry these pesky bacteria in our mouth.

Coconuts are Effective “Germ” Fighters

These findings are not all that surprising, in light of previous research. In one particular study, scientists discovered that green coconut water has anti-microbial peptides, which can kill a variety of bacteria.4

Also, coconut extracts have been shown to kill one strain of the herpes virus.5

And not to mention, coconut oil also has anti-fungal effects. One of its victims is Candida albicans, a yeast that causes oral thrush and yeast infections.3

Now we think this is pretty impressive, considering that man-made antibiotics are very limited and not effective against viruses or fungi. Don’t you think?

Coconut Oil Toothpaste — Coming to a Store Near You?

So, what are the implications of the Irish study? Pretty straightforward: Coconut oil could someday be incorporated into dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash.

Not bad, considering some of the ingredients found in many of today’s oral health products are highly questionable at best. For example, the high alcohol content of mouthwashes has been implicated in cancer development.6

Also, it might not be a bad idea to incorporate coconut oil into sugary treats. After all, they are a major cause of tooth decay and cavities. Their high sugar content fuels the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth, which can literally carve a hole in your tooth (hence the term cavity).

So, adding coconut oil to the mix could potentially make things a little more bearable for your teeth. This hasn’t been tested of course, but it does make for good food for thought. ;)

What do you think of these findings? Do you use any natural ingredients to help keep your teeth healthy? Please let us know in the comments!

I have had very good luck with a colloidal silver based product called "Liquid Dentist". I thin it with colloidal silver I make (SilverGen) to reduce the cost. Several times each week, after brushing in the evening, I then brush with my Liquid Dentist mixture. I've been doing this for about 2 years and my hygienist now finds almost zero plaque on my teeth; a big improvement for me.

Many Thanks for the interesting information. I had been making my own toothpaste with the same ingredients listed in an earlier post: coconut oil, baking soda, peppermint oil and xylitol to sweeten. When I told my dentist he was Horrified !!!! He said that the baking soda would be far too abrasive to the enamel. I also was put off due to reading that xylitol ( and ALL of the 'polyol' sugar free sweeteners) are linked with irritable bowel syndrome.

I am not keen to use toothpastes with preservatives and other nasties, so I think I will make another batch of toothpaste but this time I will put the baking soda into my coffee grinder to make it a finer, smaller sized particle, and I will sweeten the batch with stevia. There are commercially prepared toothpastes with baking soda ( eg "Arm & Hammer" brand), so perhaps my dentist over stated the abrasiveness of baking soda, anyway, other toothpastes deliberately use calcium carbonate as a mild abrasive - so perhaps the fine particles of ground baking soda would not be any worse than that.

Coconut oil is indeed a cure for tooth decay because of its properties. Most of our dental problems can heal by natural means and role of coconut oil in fighting tooth decay is very important. There are other natural ways of fighting tooth decay and one of those simple ways is to eat healthy nutritious food. The food we eat determines our dental health. If food which is deficient in vital nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D, among other minerals is consumed on regular bases then it will lead to tooth decay, among other dental problems. Therefore care must be taken with the food we eat. For those who believe in natural healing, I will recommend this book “Cure tooth decay” by Ramiel Nagel in which the author has explained the causes of tooth decay and has prescribed an effective diet plan which will not only help in prevention of tooth decay but also healing and reversing the cavities or tooth decay. You can visit his website for more information http://www.curetoothdecay.com/

Just like the post above I am surprised that nobody says a word about the difference between coconut oil and enzymatically modified coconut oil. Obviously they are different and the reference article mentions that the enzymatically modified coconut oil is effective, but not a word about non-modified coconut oil.

Anonymous - The Irish study used enzymatically treated coconut oil, similar to what is produced by the human body when it's digested. To our knowledge, the researchers did not disclose any further details. Here's a link to more info on the study in case you want to check it out: http://ow.ly/henGw

We're not aware of an outside source where you can purchase enzymatically treated coconut oil. Perhaps this is something that will be available in the future. Only time will tell. ;)

A small manufacturing business in Tonga called Kenani Estate Co. Ltd. manufacture and produce Kakala, virgin coconut oil with natural essence in a range of tropical fragrances; Mango, Vanilla, Frangipani, Ylang Ylang and Pure unscented coconut body oil. The coconut oil is all natural. The only ingredients are virgin coconut oil and pure essence as fragrance.

The oil is in liquid form and naturally solidifies during cold temperatures. Storage in warm areas such as your hot water cupboard to maintain the oil in its liquid form or only requires rubbing between your hands to return it to a liquid state. Coconut oil is a popular beauty product. It is more than just a body moisturizer it also can be used as; a makeup remover, bath oil, hand and foot treatment, hair revitalizing, scalp oil, shaving oil and more.

I know they are looking for international distributers and retailers to carry their product so readers, its a great product and shop owners.. it will move off the shelves check out Kakala Polynesian Coconut Body Oil on facebook... So true about coconut oil.

I'm still understanding from you, but I'm making an attempt to achieve my ambitions. I undoubtedly enjoy studying every thing that is posted on your internet site.Keep the stories coming. I preferred it!.

When i was searching some information on dental health I came across your post. I found several methods to fight against tooth decay before but your post shown me a new way. Besides using the coconut oil toothpaste people should avoid eating high sugar and high acid foods to prevent tooth decay.

wow! seriously? I didn't know that coconut is also a cure to prevent tooth decay. we love to eat coconut as ingredients for so many foods and there a lot a lot of uses of it. I am also interested with coconut oil toothpaste, I'll surely find that in stores near us. Thanks for the share!XerxesManhattan dental clinic

This is an excellent and very well written article! Thank you.As a dentist I know that preventing the bacteria that causes plaque is the key to good dental health. I was amazed to learn that coconut oil can actually inhibit the growth of Streptococcus bacteria. I'm definitely going to research this further.Again, than you.